Audio Multicasting via Periodic Advertising Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) audio technology faces challenges in implementing audio multicasting due to limitations in the number of slave devices that can be accessed simultaneously in Connected Isochronous Group (CIG) links and the inability to control access in Broadcast Isochronous Group (BIG) links, making it difficult to achieve audio multicasting functions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves broadcasting audio packets using a BIG link protocol, performing periodic broadcasts on an advertising channel, and establishing a bidirectional periodic advertising link protocol to allow selected slave devices to group with the master device, enabling controlled access and reception of playable audio data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CIG link-based AMC is used to implement audio multicasting, then the number of slave devices is limited due to bandwidth constraints, but this limits the scalability of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio streaming system into two distinct communication channels: a control channel using periodic advertising for device grouping and access control, and a data channel using BIG link for audio packet transmission. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each channel, enabling unlimited slave devices to join via the control channel while the data channel bandwidth is dynamically managed based on actual capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a periodic advertising mechanism as an intermediary layer between the master device and slave devices. This intermediary handles device discovery, grouping, and access control requests, separating the control plane from the data plane. The intermediary manages the complexity of bandwidth allocation by preprocessing connection requests and establishing controlled access before audio data transmission begins.
2Adaptability or versatility
If BIG link-based ABC is used to allow unlimited slave device access, then scalability is improved, but the inability to control access prevents implementation of audio multicasting with limited selected devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control by establishing a periodic advertising link that allows the master device to dynamically select and group specific slave devices. The grouping is not static but can be modified in real-time based on bandwidth conditions, device availability, and user preferences. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to adapt between unlimited access (ABC mode) and controlled limited access (multicasting mode) as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing periodic advertising connections and device grouping before actual audio data transmission. The master device pre-configures which slave devices are authorized to receive audio packets, pre-negotiates transmission parameters, and sets up the control plane infrastructure in advance. This preliminary setup enables efficient controlled multicasting without needing to manage access dynamically during data transmission.
3Reliability
If periodic advertising channel is used for device grouping, then controlled access to audio packets is enabled, but additional communication overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic advertising as a time-structured communication mechanism where the master device transmits advertising packets at regular intervals. Slave devices can join the grouping by synchronizing to these periodic transmissions. The periodic nature provides predictable timing, allows devices to join at convenient intervals, and enables the system to balance between establishment speed and control reliability by adjusting the advertising interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic advertising channel maintains continuous control plane connectivity between the master device and grouped slave devices throughout the audio streaming session. Rather than establishing control once and forgetting it, the system maintains continuous periodic communication for group management, allowing dynamic addition/removal of devices, bandwidth renegotiation, and persistent access control validation without interrupting the audio data flow on the separate BIG link.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio multicasting method and an audio multicasting device are described. In one embodiment, the method includes: broadcasting an audio packet based on a BIG link protocol; performing a periodic broadcast based on an advertising channel comprising a periodic advertising channel; and communicating bi-directionally with one or more slave devices on the periodic advertising channel based on a pre-configured bidirectional periodic advertising link protocol to allow one or more selected slave devices to group with the master device while performing the periodic broadcast, wherein the one or more selected slave devices are the slave devices that are allowed to receive the audio packet and extract playable audio data from the received audio packet. In this way, the audio multicasting method can realize audio multicasting function in an audio broadcast mode.